Students across the University of Nebraska system will see a 5% tuition increase this fall after the Board of Regents voted 10-2 Thursday to approve the hike, citing rising costs and limited state support.
After about 40 minutes of discussion, Regents Kathy Wilmot of Beaver City and Robert Schafer of Beatrice voted against the increase.
The tuition hike follows a state budget shortfall. In August 2024, the university requested a 3.5% increase in state funding but received only a 0.635% bump (about 1/5 of its request). This amounts to an increase of $4.35 million.
By contrast, the tuition increase is expected to bring in $19.07 million in additional revenue.
“These decisions are not made lightly, particularly from my personal perspective as a first-generation student, but they are necessary if we’re to maintain the academic quality that Nebraskans expect and deserve from us,” said NU President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D.
Starting this fall, in-state tuition will rise from $10,434 to about $10,995. Out-of-state students will see an increase from $28,584 to roughly $30,013.
University officials say they are working to balance affordability with fiscal responsibility. Programs like the Nebraska Promise—which covers full tuition for in-state students from families earning less than $65,000 annually—remain in place.
“I don’t like putting this burden on the backs of students, because that’s what it is. It’s a tuition increase. It’s a tax on the students,” said Regent Tim Clare of Lincoln. “I hate that idea… but we also have a fiduciary duty to do what’s in the best interest of the university.”
Increased operational costs are a key factor, with $22 million needed to maintain university operations and $12.7 million earmarked for faculty and staff. Additional costs including utilities, health insurance, and employee benefits total another $10.2 million.
In the same meeting, the NU Board:
- Approved the establishment of the Diabetes Center of Excellence in Diabetes Care, Research and Education, administered by the College of Medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Approved the establishment of the undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Robotics Engineering offered by the College of Engineering at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Approved the establishment of the undergraduate Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies offered by the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln